Seventh-grader Andrew Crouth's World War II diorama will be displayed at this Saturday's History Faire in Ballston Spa. (ERICA MILLER/emiller@saratogian.com)

BALLSTON SPA -- Andrew Crouth isn't just a history buff.

From Normandy's hedgerows to the frozen foxholes used during the Battle of the Bulge, he gives people a first-hand look at some of World War II's most famous scenes.

On Saturday, the 13-year-old's handiwork will be on display at the History Faire scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Center, 50 W. High St., Ballston Spa.

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"I'm interested in World War II more than any other military history," said Andrew, a home-schooled seventh-grader who lives in Ballston Spa. "It's not too advanced with high-tech missiles like we have today. But it was a lot more advanced than the Civil War."

Toy soldiers, foam insulation, sticks and twigs are just some of the materials he's used to build small dioramas. The main ingredients are a high degree of creativity, enthusiasm and an amazing penchant for detail and accuracy.

"My parents have always labeled him as meticulous and precise," said Ann Crouth, Andrew's teacher and mom. "Plus, my father (John Schiller of Ballston Spa) was a mechanical engineer. I think Andrew has his mechanical inclination."

His other grandfather, Jerry Crouth, is a Cold War-era Army veteran, which encourages his interest in the military.

Andrew is studying the Middle Ages in Europe, which provides background for the wars that occurred hundreds of years later during the 20th century.

He said that toy soldiers, tanks, jeeps and other military items aren't that readily available in stores anymore, so he does most of his shopping online.

"They're kind of rare, and prices have gone up," Andrew said.

"This has been no small investment," his father, also named Andrew, said with a smile.

However, it's creating all kinds of possibilities for young Andrew's future by spurring his interest in a variety of fields such as history, art and engineering.

His brother, Samuel, 11, and sister, Caroline, 6, are also home-schooled and have learned valuable lessons from his projects.

"It really depicts the sacrifices that men made," Andrew's father said.

Saturday isn't a typical school day for Andrew, but he might be getting extra credit for displaying his work at the History Faire.

The event, hosted by the group Heritage Hunters, will have a number of history-related workshops and presentations throughout the day. A re-enactor portraying Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant will be on hand, along with town, village and county historians and representatives of historical societies from throughout Saratoga County.

Many items will be on display and people will have a chance to learn about the many resources available for conducting historical research of their own.